Claire Seale

Claire Mackie (born Seale, 1988) is a famous Scottish Oboist who hit the headlines at the age of 14 as a rising star in Scotland’s classical musical culture.
Born in Edinburgh to Scottish-Australian parents, Seale began playing the oboe seriously at the age of 10 when she joined the Edinburgh Children's Orchestra.
Education
She was a pupil at George Watson's College, Edinburgh where she was principal oboe and principal cor anglais and won the young musician of the year. Seale later studied at St Mary's Music School, a prestigious music school in Edinburgh, where her playing excelled. In 2007 Seale was awarded a scholarship to study at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama for a Bachelor of Music degree, turning down a place at The Royal College of Music, London, and a further scholarship at The Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester. In 2009, Seale began studies in Primary Education at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow.
Musical career
At the age of 10 and 14 Seale won certificates of excellence from the Robert Burns World Federation for Scottish music. Seale played with both the Edinburgh Schools Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra where she held the positions of principal oboe and principal cor anglais in both between 2002 and 2007, and the Scottish Schools Orchestra from 1998 until 2002, where she was principal oboe.
Seale won many local, national and international competitions, including several classes in both the Edinburgh International, and Glasgow Music Festivals between 1999 and 2005. She also won the Headteachers Award for School Excellence, in 2007 whilst leaving St Mary’s Music School.
Seale played with the Edinburgh Youth Orchestra and the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland from 2005 until 2007 and held the positions of principal second oboe and principal cor anglais in both. Seale also served as the players' committee convenor for the Edinburgh Youth Orchestra in 2006/07 season. Seale has toured Internationally with many professional orchestras, and has worked under the batton of Vernon Handley, Nicolae Moldoveanu, En Shao, Julian Clayton, Garry Walker, James Lowe and Christopher Adey.
Seale as worked with many Internationally renowned soloists including David Pyatt, Tedi Papavrami, Alexander Baillie, Nicola Benedetti and Julian Lloyd Webber.
Seale was also offered a place with the National Youth Wind Orchestra of Great Britain at the young age of 17, but was unable to play due to injuries.
Seale is more well-known for her solo performances, performing in countless locations across Scotland and the United Kingdom. Seale was in popular demand for recitals and concerts. Her busy schedule of rehearsals, recitals and concerts became almost unmanageable in 2007 after she had the honour of performing for various members of the Commonwealth and Saudi Arabian Royal Families.
Management
Seale was signed to various music labels between 2004 and 2008, and was represented by Waterfoot Classical Artists.
Instruments
Seale plays on a Marigaux 901 vintage model oboe, and a Loree cor anglais of May 1999.
End of Musical Career
During May 2007, Seale suffered significant injuries to her right wrist, rumoured to be due to over-playing. Although an official statement was never issued, Seale denied Repetitive Strain Injury. As playing became more difficult, Seale’s schedule was quickly cut down, and eventually she became a student at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, thus playing less than in her busy working life.
Philanthropy
Seale publically supports several charities including:
*Mayfield Radio Unit, a dedicated hospital radio station based in Edinburgh. Seale presented and produced a number of programmes from 2005 until 2007.
*Children's Hospice Association Scotland
*Breast Cancer Care. Seale raised a large sum of money through a series of concerts throughout Scotland.
*Cancer Research
*Rotaract Overseas Project. Seale is the charity's secretary, and also a trustee.
*Girlguiding UK
Rotary
Since 2007, Seale has been an active supporter and promoter of Rotaract, and was appointed to the office of Chairman of Rotaract in Great Britain & Ireland 2010-11. Seale serves on a number of Rotary in Great Britain & Ireland committees and has regularly made presentations at conferences throughout Great Britain & Ireland.
Other Ventures
Seale was briefly involved in a comedy-duo, 103, with professional stand-up comedian Douglas Needham, although this venture latest only seven months.
Personal life
Between June 2006 and September 2007, Seale was in a long-term relationship with David Lloyd Webber, only son of Julian Lloyd Webber, brother of Andrew Lloyd Webber. David's mother is Princess Zohra Mahmoud Ghazi, a member of the Afghan royal family. Seale met David when she worked with Julian in early 2006.
Seale also briefly dated Alan Benzie, winner of BBC Scotland Young Jazz Musician of the Year 2007. Alan is also a former pupil of St Mary's Music School.
Seale married Alastair Mackie on 14 August 2010, and is now known as Claire Mackie. Her husband is a civil servant, and they live together in a small town south of Edinburgh.
Family
*Allan Seale, MBE. Australian Gardener and author
*Camilla Seale, member of British crossover-band, Angelis.
*John Seale, cinematographer
*Lynden Wilkinson, actress

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